Chillicothe (Thursday, February 18, 4:45 p.m.) – U.S. Route 35 East in Jackson County is scheduled to reopen to one lane of traffic by approximately 6 p.m. this evening.

Crews from Stable Construction continue working to remove two large boulders that rest along the hillside adjacent to U.S. 35 East. While both eastbound lanes have been closed today, February 18, it is anticipated that the route will be open to one lane by 6 p.m. tonight.

The contractors will resume operations at 7:30 a.m. Friday, and they anticipate continuing the excavation project with U.S. 35 East traffic being maintained in one lane and closed for intermittent periods during daily operations. The closures will occur when large sections of rock are ready to fall; at such times, traffic will be stopped and held for up to 30 minutes.

Although the route will be open to one lane of traffic throughout the day, ODOT recommends that all U.S. 35 East motorists follow the posted detour to avoid delays when traffic is stopped. The posted detour is via U.S. 35 at Chillicothe to U.S. 23 South to Piketon, to S.R. 32 East to Jackson to U.S. 35.

The westbound lanes have not been affected by the rock slide; however, these lanes will also be closed for intermittent periods of up to 30 minutes when rocks are likely to fall. The periodic closures are needed to assure motorists’ safety as falling debris could cross the median area to the westbound side of the highway.

The emergency excavation project became necessary after a rock slide occurred last Wednesday, February 10, in the area just east of Caves Road, approximately six miles east of the Jackson-Ross County line. Field review by ODOT engineers and geologists determined that other rocks or boulders along the hillside may be unstable and should be removed.

Stable Construction was awarded a Type A Emergency contract this week to remove the rock and repair the ledge and hillside between the 6.0 and 7.0-mile markers, adjacent to U.S. 35 East.

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For more information contact: Kathleen Fuller, public information officer,ODOT District 9